FBI: Man promised iPhone for nude pics

The FBI has arrested a 48-year-old man on charges that he transported sexually explicit images of a 13-year-old girl across state lines.

Thomas Lee Fritz is under investigation in San Jose, Calif., in connection with allegations he promised the girl an iPhone in exchange for her posing nude in May so he could take pictures of her with his own iPhone and iPad, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in federal court here.

The affidavit said the girl also alleged that in August, Fritz took more pictures of her and sexually assaulted her.

She also told investigators he made her watch pornographic videos and fondled her.

In late August, Fritz moved back to San Antonio, and flew back to San Jose on Nov. 7. San Jose police seized his iPhone, but have not yet examined it. The affidavit said he declined to talk to police, and eventually returned to San Antonio.

The FBI was contacted and raided his home last Friday, seizing an iPad. A preliminary examination turned up several pictures of the 13-year-old girl, and at least one was of the nude girl in a sexually suggestive pose, according to the affidavit.

Fritz appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad, who ordered him detained pending a bail hearing this Friday.

In court, his wife said “he is a good man” and that the allegations are false.

During the court proceedings, her phone rang to the ringtone of “Whistle” by Flo Rida, and was admonished by a bailiff.

She blew kisses to Fritz, and told him she loved him as he was returned to jail.